An operator shall operate a vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than is reasonable and proper having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the way and of other conditions then existing.

Most roads and streets have posted speed limit markers. If a driver fails to obey the speed limit laws, they may be subject to a traffic infraction. In some circumstances, however, a driver can go over the speed limit restrictions so badly, that they will face criminal charges. This is referred to as Criminal Speeding.

Criminal Speeding in Maine

According to Criminal Code Title 29-A section 2074.3, a person who operates a vehicle more than 30 miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit can be charged with criminal speeding.

In order for a criminal speeding charge to be placed, police must document three facts:

The stated speed limit of the road

The actual speed that the driver was operating at

That the actual speed was 30 mph or more over the legal speed limit

Maine law Title 29-A section 2075.4 lists the ways that a driver's speed can be measured. They include:

A. Radar;

B. An electronic device that measures speed by radiomicrowaves, laser or otherwise; or

C. A device that measures, in any sequence, a selected distance traversed by a motor vehicle operated by the law enforcement officer and the time required by another motor vehicle to traverse that same distance, and computes therefrom the average speed of the other vehicle.

Penalties for Maine Criminal Speeding

Criminal speeding in Maine is a Class E offense. The recommended sentencing for a Class E conviction is as follows:

A maximum of 6 months of incarceration and/or

A maximum fine of $1,000 and/or

A maximum length of one year of probation

An administrative license suspension of at least 30 days

It will be up to a judge to decide exactly what a person's sentence is, and their decision will be influenced by factors like the driver's criminal history, the circumstances of the offense and the prosecution's recommendation. In addition, a criminal speeding conviction counts towards habitual violator status which can lead to license revocation.

Criminal Speeding and OUI

If a driver is convicted of operating under the influence (OUI) in Maine and they were also speeding 30 mph or more over the limit, they will face additional penalties. For example, a first-time OUI offender faces no minimum jail sentence if convicted, but will face a minimum of 48 hours of jail time if they were also “exceeding the speed limit by 30 miles per hour or more”.

Maine Criminal Speeding Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested for criminal speeding in Maine, call our office right away. Criminal defense attorney William T Bly can assist you in fighting the charges that you face. Every case has defense options and an experienced attorney is the best way to make sure you have the strongest defense.

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I went to Maine on a weekend vacation trip and got a little reckless. I ended up driving the wrong way on a one way street and received an oui. Now I was up against loosing my cdl, my job, and my new home I had purchased only a month prior. I needed a lawyer. After much research and deliberation,...Read On

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Client Review

“Bill shared each and every Pro/Con of the situation that I was facing. The entire court process was quite lengthy and stressful to my wife and I both, but at it’s conclusion Bill was able to have my OUIDISMISSSED and pled to a far more favorable charge…I would recommend Mr. Bly to anyone who is up against a seemingly insurmountable mountain to climb. Thank you Mr. Bly for securing my life and future.”- Vince

What distinguishes our Firm from the numerous law firms throughout the state is that we genuinely care about the well-being of our clients. The staff and attorneys of WTB LAW ensure that every client receives hands-on and personalized attention throughout the life of their case.